Flower Abundance, Premature Acorn Abscission, and Acorn Production in Quercus alba L.

We studied flower abundance and its relationship to acorn crop size on four Quercus alba L. trees in Patrick County, Virginia, for 4 yr. Acorn production was significantly related to spring flower abundance. A linear model was developed which accounted for 83.7% of the variation in acorn crops. Acorn mortality during development was quantified during 2 of the 4 yr. Mortality was gradual with ca. 70% of the flowers failing to produce mature acorns.